Chapter Nineteen
Theo
“God, I can’t believe I kissed him.”
The following evening, we were swamped, and I hardly had time to breathe, yet I still burned with embarrassment.
I shouldn’t have had so much wine. But that wasn’t the reason.
You still want him.
I was in my small office, needing a moment alone. My phone buzzed. Seeing it was Jaxon, my fingers shook as I swiped at the screen.
I had fun last night. Especially that good-bye kiss.
I decided the best thing to do would be to play along.
Me too. Glad you enjoyed it.
Next time, no alcohol, no excuses.
I smiled to myself.
Next time, huh?
I watched the screen and waited.
Oh, yeah. Your kisses are like french fries.
Laughing, I texted him:
You’re comparing me to a potato?
No. I’m saying I can’t stop at just one.
My heart did a little dance, and I held the phone to my chest. Yeah, I was acting like a teenager, but I’d never had a boyfriend in high school, so I was having my moment and enjoying every minute of it.
“Theo.” Tony knocked. “The kitchen sink is clogged.”
Great. Real-life problems trumped fantasy lover.
Gotta go. See you later?
No. Big trial prep. Won’t be around much.
Too bad. Planned on a killer burger for you later.
Jaxon sent me a crying emoji.
Three days passed, and Jaxon continued to send me texts bemoaning the fact that he was overwhelmed with paper work. I countered with a broken fryer, a flooded toilet in the men’s room, and a delivery of spoiled cheese.
Okay, you win. Sounds like you need this time off more than me.
I so did. My first plane ride and hotel stay, first visit to the beach…so many firsts. I allowed myself to dream a little. Maybe my first kiss under the moonlight…
I’m getting my bathing suits ready.
He sent a smile emoji.
Don’t forget the sunscreen. I’d hate to see all that pretty skin get burned. See you soon.
**
“First time on an airplane. Are you excited?” Jaxon buckled his seat belt, and I nodded quickly, my heart pounding.
“Kind of.” I didn’t want to admit how nervous I was. “I brought gum in case my ears pop, airsickness pills, and some patch I read about.” I rubbed my eyes.
“You won’t need that.”
The flight attendant began his announcements, and I paid attention to every word. I think I was the only one, as all the other passengers were on their phones or tablets. At the mask demonstration, I glanced above me.
“Has that ever happened to you?”
“No. Never,” Jaxon assured me. “Stop worrying.”
“I’m not.”
But as we began to taxi down the runway, I clutched the armrests. Jaxon pried my fingertips loose and squeezed my hand.
“Just hold on to me.” He smiled into my eyes. “I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
My heart beat faster, but this time, not from the airplane taking off.
Our connection was delayed by hours due to a storm, and we didn’t check in to the hotel until it was dark.
I knew the ocean was out there—we had a small balcony past the sliding glass doors, but it was pitch black, and I couldn’t see it.
There was also a small living room with a couch, a chair, and a table where we ate dinner.
Another first for me—room service had always seemed so decadent when I’d seen it on television, and I had to confess it was exciting to see that the food actually came under silver domes.
We fell into bed, exhausted. Jaxon snuggled next to me, and in his arms, listening to the sound of the waves, I slept.
**
“Isn’t it beautiful? I knew you’d love it.” Alison beamed at me.
The wind in my face and the scent of salt in the air, I stood on the deck of the ship and closed my eyes. I couldn’t believe I was here, the sun warming my shoulders while at home it was freezing and snowy.
“It’s amazing. Thank you for insisting I register for this. I was planning on doing nothing but sitting on the beach under an umbrella with a book.”
“I’m so glad.”
I’d managed to steer clear of George Winston’s wife, Mary Beth, who’d attempted to cozy up to us.
Apparently, Alison understood my discomfort, and anytime Mary Beth approached us, she kept us apart.
She’d introduced me to other wives and husbands who all seemed so nice, and I wondered why I’d been so afraid to come.
“And the things you bought at that little store on the island were so cute. Jaxon will love the hat, I’m sure.”
When the ship docked, many of us had left to explore. I stayed with Alison, but I didn’t miss Mary Beth hovering. Her husband had obviously sent her on the cruise to spy on me. She was in for a disappointment.
“I hope so.”
I’d found a ball cap with “Island God” imprinted on it and, on a whim, thought Jaxon would find it funny.
The shore was approaching, and I was almost sad to see it.
But I was looking forward to meeting Jaxon for dinner—it was supposed to be a lobster and clam bake on the beach, and since I’d never had either, my anticipation was running high.
Plus…I missed him. It was nice waking up with him next to me and hearing him singing—badly—in the shower.
I’d kind of hoped he’d kiss me, but he’d been the perfect gentleman.
Dammit. I regretted taking such a firm stand on no physical contact.
Jaxon informed me he had an early morning breakfast discussion and hesitated a moment before brushing his lips to mine. After he left, I’d luxuriated in bed, hugging his pillow close.
Yeah, I had it bad.
“I had such a nice time getting to know you, Theo. And I hope you don’t mind me saying, but I think you and Jaxon make a wonderful couple. It’s obvious how much he cares about you.”
My cheeks heated. “I…we’re not really that serious. We haven’t known each other that long.”
She squeezed my arm. “Time doesn’t matter. I fell for Sandy on our first date. I came home and told my mother, ‘I met the boy I’m going to marry.’ ”
My laughter was uneasy. “Well, we’re far from that point. We like each other and enjoy each other’s company.”
“You never know. Oh, you didn’t get a chance to meet a friend of mine. Debra!” She waved at a woman. “She started feeling the heat and retreated to the air conditioning.”
The woman waved and walked toward us. She was petite and thin with sculpted arms that spoke of time at the gym or maybe tennis.
Her hair was long and blond, thick and shiny, held back with a floral headband.
While most of the women on board wore little jewelry, she wore diamond earrings and a bracelet that probably cost more than my take for the entire month.
Dark glasses took up much of her face, but her smile was open.
“Wow, Allie, I almost passed out. Thank God they had cold drinks inside.” She giggled. “A couple of margaritas and I was good as new.”
I didn’t miss Alison’s hand under Debra’s elbow, holding her steady. I suspected she’d had more than a couple of drinks, and upon lifting her glasses, her bloodshot, unfocused eyes confirmed my suspicions.
“Debra, this is my friend, Theo. He’s here with his boyfriend. Debra’s husband is a renowned criminal law professor.”
“Aren’t you a cutie.”
“Deb,” Alison said sharply and met my eyes. I grinned, letting her know I didn’t mind.
“Nice to meet you.”
The ship ground to a halt near the dock. We were about to disembark when Debra swayed a bit, falling into me. I held her so she wouldn’t fall, and she giggled again, holding on to me tight.
“Thank you. This is the closest I’ve been to a man in ages. My husband isn’t interested. He doesn’t even want to kiss me anymore. We haven’t had sex in years.”
Shocked, I watched tears spill down her face and looked at Alison, feeling helpless. I couldn’t imagine she would speak to a stranger like this if she weren’t drunk.
Alison put her arm around Debra. “Come on, honey. Let’s go to your room and get some coffee in you. Tonight’s a big dinner on the beach, and you don’t want to miss it.”
“Can I do anything?” I asked, but Alison shook her head and spoke to me in a murmur over her shoulder.
“No. It’s not the first time, poor thing. I’ll see you tonight. I know we’re all sitting at the same table, so maybe don’t mention it to her? I know she’d be mortified.”
“Of course not,” I reassured her. “I’ll see you later.”
They walked together, and I kept pace behind them but waited so they could enter the elevator alone.
Upon entering our room, I tossed my cap and the bag with Jaxon’s present onto the couch.
Jaxon wouldn’t be finished with his panels for another hour, which gave me the chance to shower and catch a quick nap.
The cool water refreshed me after the heat and humidity, and I put on a T-shirt and shorts and lay on the bed.
After our texts and how sweet he was to me on the plane, I wondered if he’d kiss me later after the dinner.
The champagne we’d had on Valentine’s Day had given me the courage to do what I’d been wanting to for so long.
I threw off the thin comforter and stroked myself, my cock thickening at the memory of his mouth on mine.
I fisted my dick, the slick precome making it easier for my hand to slide up and down my shaft, and I moved faster, my hips rolling as I thought of Jaxon taking me in his wet mouth. Licking me. Sucking me dry. My whole body shook, and I came with a cry, arching off the bed.
Breathing heavily, I wiped my hands with tissues, tossing them into the bin. I was tucking myself back in my shorts when the lock clicked, and I froze as Jaxon walked in. I knew what I looked like—face flushed, hair all sweaty, legs splayed wide. His lips curved, and I couldn’t meet his eyes.
“Did you have fun today?”
“Yeah. Uh, I just took a shower and was going to take a nap while I waited for you to finish your panel.”
He undid his tie and shed his jacket, pants, and shirt, tossing them onto the chair. It was a sexy striptease, and I couldn’t look away. After kicking off his shoes, he crawled on the bed next to me.
“Here I am. Maybe we should take a nap together.”